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The funny faces of Charles and Camilla

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As senior members of the royal family, Charles and Camilla are expected to conduct themselves with the utmost decorum at all times, but the fun-loving pair couldn’t help letting some silly faces slip during their Australian tour.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall are famous for their excellent senses of humour and they weren’t afraid of sharing them with people they met across the country.

Camilla seemed more able to master her features in front of the cameras, but Charles pulled dozens of funny faces, the best of which we’ve captured here. Which on is your favourite?

Charles and Camilla at the Melbourne Cup.

Charles giggling in Hobart.

Camilla didn’t know what to do with this baby koala in Adelaide.

Charles at the Melbourne Cup.

Charles wasn’t sure what he was touching in Hobart.

The royal had trouble bowling at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Charles wasn’t the biggest fan of the koalas either.

Charles and Camilla in Adelaide.

Charles in Sydney.

The ever-changing Sydney weather seemed to give Charles a headache.

The Prince seemed to find the pouring rain amusing.

The royal on Bondi Beach.

Charles in Sydney.

Charles had trouble with allergies in Adelaide.

Charles seemed bored during this speech in Melbourne.

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Charles and Camilla unveil Queen Elizabeth Terrace

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Charles and Camilla unveil Queen Elizabeth Terrace

Charles, Camilla and Julia Gillard unveiling Queen Elizabeth Terrace.

The final day of the Australian leg of their tour was all about matters of state and ceremony as Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall touched down in Canberra for a reception at Government House and to lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial.

But before their pow-wow with the politicians, the couple began the day on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin where — watched by hundreds of local families waving flags, representatives of the High Commissions of Commonwealth countries, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott and his wife Margie — Parkes Way was renamed Queen Elizabeth Terrace to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.

The new name complements the adjacent streets Queen Victoria, King Edward and King George Terraces, making this a royal quartet in this pretty parkland within the parliamentary zone, firmly stamping the capital’s links to the Monarchy.

The waiting crowd was entertained by a note-perfect performance from the Wooden Valley Youth Choir, singing a predictably nationalistic repertoire which included those familiar standards ‘I Still Call Australia Home’, ‘I Am Australian’ and ‘Waltzing Matilda’.

Escorted by the Prime Minister, the royal couple arrived to applause, as they have at every stop on this tour.

Julia Gillard has been largely absent for the royal visit, co-chairing a democracy forum in Bali but when asked how she thought the royal visit had gone said.

“I’ve been overseas myself so I’ve been watching from on far, but it seems to have gone delightfully well.”

Despite her republican sympathies, the Prime Minister gave a heart-felt and respectful welcome speech saying directly to the Duchess of Cornwall: “I hope you’ve discovered the warmth of the Australian character and a land you will always feel welcome in.”

She went on to express Australia’s gratitude to the Queen: “This place will be a lasting tribute to Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee, inscribed forever in the architecture of our capital. It will remind future generations that for more than half our journey as a united nation Elizabeth II has been our monarch.

“No-one in the history of our federation has shared more consistently in the affairs of our Commonwealth or followed them with deeper interest and goodwill.

“As Canberra prepares for its centenary it is fitting that the Queen’s life of duty is given recognition here in our nation’s heart, and her wisdom and dignity are honoured among the people she has so faithfully served.”

The ensuing walkabout proved very popular with, Charles and Camilla, who was wearing a brown jacket and Fiona Clare printed dress, separating to greet as many members of the public as possible.

“I love the way they come and meet us,” said Fiona, 47, a Canberra local who had no idea she was actually going to be able to talk to the Prince personally.

Another job well done for this very dynamic royal duo.

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Charles and Camilla meet Julia and Tony

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Charles and Camilla meet Julia Gillard

Prince Charles and Julia Gillard.

As if to underline the fact that this has been a People’s Tour for Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, it wasn’t until their final few hours on Australian soil that the couple got to meet Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott.

Prior to a Diamond Jubilee luncheon at Canberra’s Government House hosted by Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Julia and Tony both got the chance to sit down in the drawing room and individually meet the Prince.

While the Prime Minister, in a stunning ice blue Carla Zampatti dress and jacket, was her usual polite and respectful self, Tony Abbott could hardly contain his glee saying “It is a real thrill to meet you” while heartily shaking the Prince’s hand.

At the ensuing reception in a marquee in the House’s Grounds an impressive list of guests included former PM John Howard and his wife Janette, The Weekly’s Jennifer Byrne, Olympic Gold medalists Alicia Coutts, Malcolm Page, Susan Powell, and Murray Stewart, Captain of the Wallabies James Horwill, Nine Network’s Peter Overton and his wife TV presenter Jessica Rowe, former Justice of the High Court Michael Kirby and many more.

Following a warm welcome from the Governor-General, Prince Charles stepped up to the lectern for his final speech on the tour and one which was completely unscripted.

He said that he and his wife would leave Australia with “great sadness” and paid tribute to the many volunteers and community workers he has met over the past six days.

“These are the people of course who provide a glue to such a, I think, diverse and energetic and determined society. And from that point of view it has been a real joy for my wife and I to help celebrate that wonderful aspect of society in Australia. To pay a tribute to all these marvellous people, and to just thank them for all they do to make Australia such a very special place.”

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How to avoid a financial hangover after Christmas

It's very easy to overspend during the festive season. Be kind to your wallet by following these twelve tips on gift giving and more.
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Do a budget

Write out a list of the people you’d like to buy for and put a price limit next to each name. If it adds up to too much, review the limits you’ve set.

Organise a ‘Secret Santa’

Instead of buying a gift for everyone, consider a ‘Kris Kringle’ arrangement where each member in your family draws a name out of a hat and only buys a present for that person. Don’t forget to set a price limit.

Shop in end of season sales and use catalogues

Get organised and start your shopping early at the end of season sales. Scour the catalogues to ensure you’re getting the best price as huge savings can be made by shopping around, especially on toys.

Don’t forget layby

Some large retailers offer no deposit laybys right up until Christmas which is something to take advantage of.

Shop online

More often than not you can find the item you want for a fraction of the cost. Books make a great Christmas gift and can often be ordered on the internet at heavily discounted prices.

Get baking

The most appreciated gifts are often the ones that are made with love. Homemade fruit cakes, rocky road, shortbread, jam and relishes are festive favourites.

Stockpile Christmas groceries

Pop a few extra non-perishable items in your shopping trolley each week and store them away in the pantry, so your Christmas grocery shopping bill won’t be so scary.

Buy booze in bulk

Most bottle shops offer great specials around this time of year, so keep an eye out early on and be ready to pounce when the prices are low.

Be credit card wise

While credit cards are convenient, they are also addictive over the Christmas period and can quickly undo a well-planned budget. Avoid buying gifts with credit, unless you are going to be able to pay off your card before interest is charged.

Ask family for vouchers this Christmas

Then take them to the after Christmas clearance sales. You’ll get more bang for your buck, and that way, you can really choose what you want.

Start paying off your holiday now

If you’re going away over the Christmas break, try to pay off your accommodation costs in instalments before you leave. Also, aim to keep the holiday within your budget.

Think about New Year expenses

When doing your Christmas budget, don’t forget to factor in some of the big expenses you’ll be facing in the new year. If you’ve got children, be mindful that all those back to school costs are just around the corner.

With a bit of planning, you can jingle all the way to Christmas with money left over.

Dianne Charman is an AMP financial planner and mother of two.

Dianne Charman is an Authorised Representative of AMP Financial Planning Pty Ltd, ABN 89 051 208 327, AFS Licence No. 232706. Any advice given is general only and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this, before acting on any advice, you should consult a financial planner to consider how appropriate the advice is to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

To find your nearest AMP financial planner visit www.amp.com.au/findaplanner.

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Charles and Camilla hit Sydney harbour

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Charles and Camilla arrive in Sydney

Charles inspecting the royal guard in Sydney.

There’s a military theme in the air as the royal tour hits Sydney and true to Emerald City form the day started on the Harbour.

It was quite a sight as Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall arrived at Garden Island Ferry Wharf from Admiralty House on the Royal Australian Navy’s Admiral’s Barge.

At the wharf, they were met by General David Hurley AC DSC, Chief of the Defence Force and Mrs Linda Hurley and Commander Todd Wilson RAN Commanding Officer HMAS Kuttabul.

Prince Charles got a royal salute and inspected the Royal Guard of Honour and Royal Australian Navy Band before disappearing with his wife inside the Heritage Centre to meet some very proud and gleaming Australian Defence Force personnel who have recently returned from active service.

It’s the first stop on an action-packed day which sees the royal couple going their separate ways and coming together to try and fit in as many meet and greets as possible.

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Dancing robots helping kids with autism

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Dancing robots help kids with autism

As scientists may have found an explanation for autism spectrum disorders, their robot counterparts are being trained up to help kids who are affected.

Max and Ben, two knee-high robots, have been dancing, interacting and playing games with students at a Birmingham primary school since March and have had great success in developing the communication skills of the school’s 30 autistic students.

The autism generation: Why are so many children born autistic?

The robots, developed by the University of Birmingham, have been dubbed “buddies” and are helping to develop interactive learning.

“We have been looking at how technology can support pupils with autism to communicate more effectively,” said Dr Karen Guldberg from the university.

“Pupils and teachers are experimienting with the robots and other technologies in a developmental way and the are showing significant benefits for the classroom.”

The robots cannot display emotions, which means that autistic children find them less threatening and easier to predict, and Ian Lowe, a teacher at the primary school, said the kids just love them.

“The robots have been brilliant at supporting autistic children with their learning,” he said.

“In the future we are looking to see if they can be used to support learning not just at school but at home as well.”

While the robots may help to improve learning and communication skills of children with autism, researchers are getting closer to an explanation and treatment for the disorder.

A new study has discovered a genetic mutation that cuts communication between brain cells to about one-tenth of normal levels has been discovered in people with autism, offering a likely explanation for the cognitive and behavioural difficulties that come with the disorder.

A protein which helps brain cells process data was found to be mutated in autism sufferers, a huge advance scientist’s understanding of autism, which would open up greater possibilities for researchers in the search for autism treatments.

“A treatment is years away,” the study’s principal investigatory Johanna Montgomery from Auckland University said.

“But we now know how it works, we know what goes wrong, so let’s try to figure out a way to fix it.”

Related: The joys and challenges of raising an autistic child

And while that may be years off, the robot treatment seems to be working wonders for autistic kids.

Students from the school said they love playing memory games with them, watching them dance, and according to one of the school’s autistic students, Stephen, the best bit is when they tell Star Wars stories.

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Charles and Camilla farewell Sydney with exclusive dinner

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Charles and Camilla farewell Sydney with exclusive dinner

Charles and Camilla arriving at Admiralty House this evening.

Toni Collette and the most recent recipient of the Victoria Cross Corporel Daniel Keighran were among a very exclusive elite of just 20 guests invited by Governor-General Quentin Bryce and husband Michael Bryce to have dinner with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at Admiralty House this evening.

The royal couple arrived in a motorcade from a more frenetic Diamond Jubilee Reception at Sydney Opera House to the peace and serenity of Kirribilli, where the four-piece Australian Army Jazz Band played on the lawns on a stunning Sydney evening with views across the harbour.

This was a dinner to showcase talented young Australians from a range of backgrounds in different fields.

Other guests included Channel Ten news presenter Hamish Macdonald, Masterchef’s Poh Ling Yeow, 2009 Young Australian of the year Jonty Bush who developed the One Punch Can Kill anti-violence campaign, Alex Blackwell, Vice-Captain of the Australian Women’s Cricket team, Founder and CEO of Carman’s Fine Foods Carolyn Cresswell, mummy blogger Mia Freedman, Ella Havelka, a dancer with Bangarra and descendant of the Wiradjuri people, and Tanya Denning, the Channel Manager for National Indigenous Television.

The Duchess looked resplendent in a blush chiffon Bruce Oldfield dress with exquisite sequinned bodice worn for the first time at this event and the Prince very dapper in a dark blue double breasted suit. Equally elegant was the Governor-General in a tailored mint skirt suit.

Guests were waited on by stewards in crisp sailor suits from the naval defence force and each was announced as they personally met the royal couple and posed for a group shot on the lawn with the Opera House in the background before heading inside for an intimate dinner.

It is the last function on Sydney’s day of events for the royal couple before they fly out for a final day in Australia in the nation’s capital Canberra.

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First pics: Reese’s baby boy

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The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree and this is certainly the case for Reese Witherspoon and her adorable baby boy Tennessee James Toth.

The actress, 37, debuted her six-week-old son, named after her home state, on a stroll in Los Angeles recently… and he looks just like his mum. Tennessee is Reese’s third child and the first for her and second husband Jim Toth.

Reese’s two children with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe – daughter Ava, 12, and son Deacon, 8 – are overjoyed at the arrival of their baby brother. “The kids met the baby the first day at the hospital,” a source told Us magazine. “Deacon is excited to have a brother. And Ava can’t wait to babysit!”

Reese Witherspoon shows off her bundle of joy.

Reese walks through LA with Tennessee.

Reese picks up her son Deacon after his soccer game.

Reese spends some time with daughter Ava.

Reese shows off her after baby body a month after giving birth.

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A fire left my family homeless – but no-one can help

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A fire left my family homeless - but no-one can help

A housefire destroyed Belma Wilson's home and hospitalised her husband.

Sydney cleaner, Belma Wilson has lost everything in a fire that destroyed her home and left her husband with burns to 30 per cent of his body.

Ms Wilson, 49, told The Australian Women’s Weekly she was distraught but very lucky to be staying in a friend’s tiny studio apartment with her three children.

“We don’t have the documents. Our passports and everything … all gone,” Ms Wilson said.

“The clothes we wore on that day are all we have. We’re back to zero again.”

Attempts by The Weekly to assist the family failed last night as NSW Emergency Housing admitted that without any documentation the department, like Centrelink was unable to assist.

Instead The Weekly was referred to Sydney Multicultural Community Services, a non-Government body set up to assist where families who did not speak English as a first language.

However, at the time of publication they could not be contacted.

The family, which is in shock, is living on the assistance of friends who have donated food but they have no possessions.

Ms Wilson said she was initially unable to see her husband in hospital because the children were so traumatised by the event.

She has since been to the hospital and spoken to the doctors who say the 73-year-old has burns to 30 percent of his body and will be in hospital for three to six months as he undergoes painful skin grafts.

The Filipino born mother came to Australia after her first husband died of a heart attack.

She has two sons and a daughter.

“The thing is we’re alive. That’s the most important thing.”

Although very little is known about the fire at the home in Stony Creek Road, Kingsgrove media reports at the time claimed “LPG was involved”.

“I went to work at 9 o’clock and the children were all in the church having choir practice. At one o’clock my friend called and said ‘your house is burning’. I didn’t know what to do and then suddenly the police rung me.”

The family has had no further contact with the authorities about the cause of the blaze which is also hampering their efforts to secure any emergency assistance.

Her eldest son Bon, 20, who works as a cable assembler said: “We’re still waiting for the police to come back. We keep calling them to find out what actually happened but we’re still waiting.”

Anyone who wishes to donate to the Wilson family please contact us at 02 9282 8120 or email [email protected].

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Charles revisits scene of youthful Bondi bathing

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Charles revisits scene of youthful Bondi bathing

Charles in Bondi today, and during a dip in 1977.

Australia put on an amazing show of both power and hospitality today, as Prince Charles enjoyed an afternoon at Bondi Beach.

Security was tight, as the menacing 100ft Nemesis police boat patrolled the shore — normally reserved for surfers — and wetsuit-clad specialist policemen patrolled the waves on a jet boat and two powerful jet skis.

Related: The Duchess becomes a colonel

Four mounted police patrolled the sand on horseback, and dozens of police guarded the Prince’s route.

Prince Charles met a selection of emergency service personnel at the famous Icebergs, and watched as a spectacular show of lightning came down from the heavens.

Torrential rain followed, which meant most of the crowd waiting for Prince Charles on the beach dispersed, and those left gained a fantastic view as he watched a team of youngsters play NRL on the sand.

Most of the police stood at attention at their posts, despite being drenched, fully aware of their important duties.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles continued to be a true gentleman, greeting as many of his royal fans as he could with a smile and a handshake.

“He had a smile for everyone — he really didn’t seem rushed,” says Sally Schenider, 42, who’d travelled from Botany.

Draped on the Bondi sidewalk was the sign “Say g’day to Betty for me” — a playful reference to his mother Queen Elizabeth, and a string of plastic Union Jacks.

Earlier in the day, he visited the Museum of Contemporary Art, perched on the shore of Sydney Harbour, where a massive P&O cruise liner moored alongside hung out a huge but cheeky banner reading, ‘Royal suite available’.

Inside, he met fashion designers and representatives of the nation’s wool industry.

Related: Charles and Camilla arrived in Sydney

Bondi must have a special place in the Prince’s heart — back in 1977 he managed to visit incognito for a morning dip, at least until he was spotted by some local surfers.

Today, whether he likes it or not, the Prince must come with an entourage fit for a King.

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